Month: March 2018

Jeffery came to the Eagles after a career with the Bears marred by injury and suspensions for performance-enhancing drugs. Torrey Smith joined Philly after being cut by the 49ers following the 2016 season in which he snagged receptions for just 267 yards. Jeffery played through a torn rotator cuff in 2017 and still put up 789 yards and eight touchdowns last season. Smith was more of a complementary player, with 430 yards and two scores.

The Eagles ended up with the third-ranked run game in the NFL last season, in part because they snagged Blount in free agency. Blount was fresh off of a career season in 2016 with the Patriots, and he ran for 766 yards and two scores last year.

In lieu of possibly netting a compensatory pick for Smith, the Eagles instead take home another cheap cornerback in Worley, who started 25 games over his two seasons in Carolina.

Worley hasn’t developed as much as fellow 2016 draftee James Bradberry and fell into a rotation at times with Kevon Seymour, who should now have a clear path to a starting role.

The Eagles want to spend money at just about every position besides running back and cornerback, and Worley gives them another low-cost option as they try to replace Patrick Robinson, who will likely leave in free agency this offseason.

He averaged just 184 passing yards in those games, stalling an offense that averaged 376.9 yards in Dalton’s 13 starts. With McCarron at the helm for the final three games, Cincinnati averaged 276 yards and couldn’t top 300.

That continued into the postseason, where the Bengals lost 18-16 to the Steelers and were outgained 369 yards to 279.

Even during McCarron’s days at Alabama, he had a reputation as a game manager who leaned on a strong running game and an NFL-caliber cast around him. Hoping he can generate offense on his own and lead a team to points with his arm may be too much to ask.

Crucially, the Denver running game isn’t as effective as Minnesota’s, given that the Broncos ranked 23rd in DVOA last season.

(The Vikings were 18th.) The Broncos also lack a useful tight end in the passing game, as they appear set to turn things over to rookie Jake Butt after he missed his entire rookie season recovering from an injury.

The Bills have a plan for 2018 and they haven’t been entirely subtle about it this offseason. After unloading Tyrod Taylor to the Browns (so sorry, Taylor) and shipping tackle Cordy Glenn to the Bengals to move up from the 21st pick to the 12th, Buffalo is betting hard on a deep, but unpredictable class of college quarterbacks to lead the franchise into the future.

And that could be a boon for the Indianapolis Colts.

The only quarterback currently under contract for the team is Nathan Peterman, a developmental prospect whose NFL career began as poorly as anyone’s ever has. While the 12th selection could be a spot to draft a prospect at the tail end of what should be a passer-heavy first round, packaging both those picks to a team with an established quarterback would be Buffalo’s key to the upper tier of rookie QBs.

He caught just 24 percent of those throws despite dropping only one of them.

Receivers with a season like Robinson’s 2015 campaign in their back pocket don’t hit the market in their prime.

The only guy in recent memory who produced a better season during his rookie deal before leaving in free agency was David Boston, who had significant off-field concerns (and subsequently bombed with the Chargers).

A battle for who would inherit the Saints and the Pelicans began in 2014 when Benson disowned three heirs, a move that led to a protracted legal fight. Benson filed a lawsuit in 2015 to cut his daughter Renee, along with grandchildren Ryan and Rita LeBlanc, out of any ownership stake with the teams.

“Well, they tried to kill me for one thing.” Benson said in a March 2016 deposition. “I found out they didn’t love me very much, trying to stab me in the back, wanted to take over everything, brought me to court saying I was crazy. You don’t need any more than that.”

Benson and his estranged family members reached a settlement in June 2016, days before a federal trial was set to get underway. The settlement, the terms of which were not disclosed, also included car dealerships, real estate and New Orleans TV station WVUE-FOX 8 that Benson also owned.

Quarterbacks hoping to be selected with the No. 1 pick in the 2018 draft appear set for disappointment. Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson said Thursday that veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor will be the team’s starter in 2018, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. “There is no competition,” he added. The Browns hold the No. 1 and No. 4 picks in April’s draft and have been widely expected to pick a signal-caller from a group consisting of Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Josh Allen, Baker Mayfield, and Lamar Jackson.

Although he is coming off a torn ACL, he played in all 16 games in 2015 and 2016 and seems to be more reliable than the other top receiver on the market, Sammy Watkins. They signed Taylor Gabriel to a four-year, $26 million deal with $14 million guaranteed. Gabriel put together a particularly strong 2016 when the Falcons made their Super Bowl run. He had 35 catches for 579 yards and six touchdowns.

He also had 171 yards in the playoffs and can be a good playmaker if used properly. Desperate to improve, the Bears also signed tight end Trey Burton to a four-year, $32 million deal. Burton had five touchdown catches last season for Philly. His contract may be a reach, but at least Chicago has some receivers for Trubisky.

The Buffalo Bills are re-signing running back Travaris Cadet to a one-year deal, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Cadet dislocated him ankle in a December game against the New England Patriots.

Jackson’s comments come more than a month before the NFL draft, when the Browns will have the No. 1 and No. 4 overall picks. They have long been mentioned by draft prognosticators as one of the teams that could select a quarterback in the first round.

Hyde lands in with a team more committed to its ground game and the kind of offensive line needed to make it work.

Hue Jackson surrendering play calling duties was a good sign for the Browns this offseason. Signing Todd Haley as their new offensive coordinator was another step in the right direction. The earlier offseason addition of Tyrod Taylor at quarterback along with the Hyde signing makes it seem like the Browns are committed to running the kind of zone read, run-option offense that best fits Taylor’s style. Hyde only adds to that.

But the real question here is whether or not signing Hyde will throw cold water on those rumors that the team might try and draft Penn State running back Saquon Barkley with the first pick this year.

Anything is possible. This is still the Browns, after all, and Barkley’s a special talent who would make any team better. However, there’s just no need for the Browns to add him at this point, not with the other needs they have to fill on the roster, namely finding a blue chip rookie to develop behind Taylor. Plus, with Hyde in the mix, there just wouldn’t be enough work to justify spending a high pick on him.

Trey Burton, TE* Headed to: Chicago Bears | Age: 26 News: Former Eagles TE Burton signing with Bears The understudy to starter Zach Ertz has enough versatility as a blocker and as a receiver — he has caught 60 passes in the past two seasons — to merit a starting job elsewhere.

During the 2017 regular season, one out of every five of his receptions went for a touchdown.

He also threw a pretty cool touchdown pass in Super Bowl LII.

Eric Reid, S 2017 team: San Francisco 49ers | Age: 26 Reid will provide another test case for the ongoing impact of NFL player protests during the national anthem, as Reid was one of the organizing partners of the initial movement.

We all know what happened to his friend, colleague and former teammate Colin Kaepernick.

Reid would be a prized target, but even he understands the potential limits on the market for him.

As a result, it would seem as though WAR is undervaluing the first player, and overvaluing the second player. Judge consistently performed poorly in high-leverage situations: he recorded the worst Clutch score of any player in 2017 per FanGraphs, despite leading the MLB in fWAR.

At the same time, the context neutrality of WAR is considered by proponents of WAR as important and necessary. If we look at Judge’s performance and remove the context of that performance, Judge was stellar in 2017: Judge can’t control how frequently he comes up to the plate with runners on and the game on the line, so if WAR was adjusted to take that into account, Judge would be punished for factors out of his control.

Gettleman gives up fourth- and sixth-round picks to the Rams, who send a 2019 seventh-rounder back as part of the deal.

The Giants managed to avoid sending the 102nd pick and instead sent their later fourth-rounder, the 135th selection, but they’re not in a position to trade away draft picks given how bereft the back of their roster is at the moment.

This is a better swap for the Rams.

In the 1993 NLCS, the Braves had a 2-1 series lead against the Phillies, led Game 4 before losing, and squandered a chance to win Game 5 in the ninth inning. They lost in six.

And in the 1996 World Series, the most painful loss of all, the Braves had a 2-0 series lead on the Yankees, had a 6-0 lead in Game 4 and seemed to be cruising toward a 3-1 lead in the series (with Smoltz ready in Game 5), only to see the Yankees claw back and have Jim Leyritz steal the show.

Woulda, coulda, shoulda.

Alas, dissecting postseason losses isn’t the point behind “Atlanta Rules.” Rather, it’s to appreciate what it took to get there in the first place, to celebrate 14 magical seasons, regardless of how those seasons ended.

Grade for Rams: B+ Grades for the Marcus Peters trade: The Chiefs get a C for their end of the swap, in which they sent Peters and the 196th pick to the Rams for the 124th selection and a 2019 second-rounder.

It turns out, one possibility sees Sherman actually returning to Seattle under a different contract. Shortly after the news of his departure spread, Sherman revealed to multiple reporters that the Seahawks are hoping he ends up back with them after he explores free agency. “They are gonna let me explore free agency with the hope that I can return,” Sherman told ESPN’s Josina Anderson. “They just wanted the financial flexibility.” ” Wanted to allow me a chance to feel out free agency and allow them to have the financial flexibility going in,” he told USA Today’s Mike Jones.

“They want me to return.” So, could it happen? Let’s explore both sides. Here’s why it could happen: Sherman is coming off a season wrecked by a torn Achilles. In terms of timing, entering free agency this offseason is pretty much the worst-case scenario for Sherman because his value is at the lowest it has ever been. Maybe he wants to rebuild his value before signing a long-term contract.

An interesting twist has emerged from Minnesota’s ingtriguing situation at quarterback. While most have their eyes trained on Case Keenum, Teddy Bridgewater and Kirk Cousins, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Monday the Vikings have called to inquire about Drew Brees’ interest in potentially moving north. Brees, the longtime New Orleans Saints quarterback, is set to become an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday. It was expected Brees would remain in New Orleans, barring an unforeseen sequence of events that would pry him from the Big Easy.

When asked about a new contract for Brees on the set of NFL Live, Payton said, “I know it’s going to get done.” Brees also has openly declared his desire to sign a new deal with the Saints, and the team’s decision-makers met with Brees’ agent — Tom Condon — at the recent NFL scouting combine.

Still, there’s no deal yet. But if the negotiating window opens Monday and the Saints still haven’t signed Brees, then Denver Broncos general manager John Elway should scroll through the ol’ contacts on his cellphone, ring up Condon and ask the multi-million dollar question. How much? The Broncos essentially went north of $90 million, plenty of it guaranteed, to sign Peyton Manning when they weren’t even sure the quarterback would return to anything close to 100 percent from a missed 2011 season after his fourth neck surgery. So, this ain’t their first rodeo in something like this.

What if the Cardinals can’t get Cousins? They will most likely go after another quarterback, possibly one who could be their next starter, in free agency while trying to also find a veteran cornerback who could start opposite of Patrick Peterson and a wide receiver who can fill a void as their No. 2 behind Larry Fitzgerald. — Weinfuss

He’s an accurate thrower with the mobility and toughness to create off movement schemes. Plus, with the Vikings being set at the skill positions and featuring one of the league’s nastiest defenses, Cousins is the final piece to making this team an early favorite to win the NFC in 2018.

Last year went disastrously for Baker, who left Washington to sign a three-year, $15.8 million deal with Tampa Bay. Baker got $6 million guaranteed but did little during his season in Tampa, racking up just a half-sack, five quarterback knockdowns and two tackles for loss across 437 defensive snaps. Baker didn’t win the locker room over, either, with teammates having to stop quarterback Jameis Winston from getting in Baker’s face after a critical encroachment penalty on fourth down late against the Panthers.

The Bengals have a long history of taking on reclamation projects with some success under Marvin Lewis, and at one year, $3 million, Baker doesn’t come with much risk. The 30-year-old is down to 300 pounds, a noticeable drop given that he was listed at 320 and likely played at a larger weight last season. The Hampton product racked up 9.5 sacks and 27 knockdowns between 2015 and 2016, so if Lewis can turn Baker back into a useful interior pass-rusher, the Bengals will have a steal on their hands.

Landry expressed excitement for his new team’s offensive potential, tweeting: “Y’all better understand s— about to get SERIOUS… ON MY MAMA.”

The trade can become official on Wednesday at 4 p.m.

“Once I played my four years [in the league], a lot of things were out of my control,” Landry told reporters Friday night prior to the inaugural Jarvis’ Jam to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in Miami. “The four years that I did have the opportunity to play for the Miami Dolphins, I left it all there, and I don’t have any regrets about that.

“I’m excited about the next chapter in my life.”

On a busy day for the Browns, they have also agreed to trade a third-round draft pick to the Buffalo Bills for quarterback Tyrod Taylor, a source tells Schefter.

The Browns are badly in need of a receiver. As a group, the team’s wide receivers had seven touchdowns in 2017; Landry had nine. Kenny Britt, who was released in December, tied for the team lead in touchdowns for wide receivers with two (with Rashard Higgins and Corey Coleman). Higgins and Ricardo Louis led the Browns’ wide receivers with 27 catches.

A video went viral on Friday featuring Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. , an aspiring French model, a pizza, and a couple of things that resemble illegal substances. The Giants have said they’re aware of the video, but they didn’t have anything to say beyond that.

He owns stakes with?the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Devils and the Premier League team Crystal Palace. According to Forbes , Rubin?is worth $3 billion.

He is competing against?hedge fund billionaire David Tepper and debt collector Ben Navarro as candidates to buy the Panthers.

However, Rubin’s familiarity with the NFL due to Fanatics gives him an advantage?since NFL owners paid $95 million for a 3 percent stake in the company.

The Phillies finished 31 games behind the Nationals in 2017 and 21 games from a wild-card spot, but thanks to an infusion of young talent on offense and a dramatically weakened division in the NL East, there’s a path for Philadelphia to claim a wild-card spot this October.

Though they have not had a winning record in the past six seasons, the Phillies were a constant presence in the postseason between 2007 and 2011, and they are building toward a return to fall baseball. A big part of this return will be the handiwork of burgeoning stars Rhys Hoskins and Maikel Franco.

The 44-year-old outfielder and the team have finalized what ESPN.com reports is a one-year deal worth $750,000 with incentives that could take it to $2 million. USA Today first reported the sides were close to a one-year deal.

Last season, he played on a part-time basis with the Marlins, batting just .255/.318/.332 in 196 at-bats, the lowest of his career.

He could provide help early for the Mariners, who are dealing with multiple injuries in the outfield.

Shohei Ohtani is not going to be able to be a two-way player in MLB this season, at least not an effective one. That according to eight scouts who talked to Yahoo Sports this week.

Shohei Ohtani is not going to be able to be a two-way player in MLB this season, at least not an effective one. That according to eight scouts who talked to Yahoo Sports this week.

The problem for the 23-year-old player lies in faulty mechanics and a lack of exposure to good MLB curveballs. Not breaking pitches, but curveballs specifically. The weapon of choice in Japan is the split-fingered fastball which is essentially a change-up, albeit one with much sharper movement.

A 27-year-old left-handed hitting catcher coming off back-to-back All-Star selections and averaging 19 home runs the previous three seasons, Gedman — you guessed it — didn’t receive any serious offers in the offseason. He begrudgingly returned to the Red Sox on May 2, but was a shell of his former self; he hit just .205 with one home run in 52 games. In fact, he hit just .206 in 377 career games after 1986.

Clemens, by the way, was his Boston teammate at the time, and he won the AL Cy Young award in both 1986 and 1987.

According to MLB Network, the deal is worth $12 million and it could increase to $14 million with performance bonuses.

Since Lynn was given a qualifying offer by the Cardinals, the Twins will give up the No. 95 pick in this year’s MLB draft as compensation.

Ohtani truly needs time to adjust to MLB-level pitching. He has seen some good pitchers in Japan, but if Miles Mikolas’ transition back into baseball in America is any indication, the level of the hurlers is not up to par with those Ohtani will face this coming season.

Ichiro Suzuki, the 44-year-old baseball legend, is back with the Mariners and in the same division with 23-year-old Japanese phenom pitcher/DH Shohei Ohtani of the Angels.

“I can’t wait to hit off him when he pitches,’’ Ichiro said during his introductory press conference Wednesday. “And when he hits, I’d like to pitch against him.’’

Ichiro has 3,080 career hits in MLB and should have plenty of opportunities to get a few off Ohtani this season. However, he likely wont have the same success if he deals to Ohtani from the mound. Ichiro did pitch one inning for the Marlins in 2015, giving up one earned run on two hits.

Legalized sports gambling nationwide in the U.S. may have just gotten one step closer with a new plan outlined by the NBA.

The league formally requested a set of laws Wednesday, according to ESPN, that could be followed across all professional sports leagues that are interested in national legalized wagering on games.

Spillane also expressed a sense of urgency to keep up with states like New York that have taken steps to move forward in advancing legalizing sports betting.

“We cannot sit on the sidelines while this activity is occurring,” Spillane said.

Last week ESPN reported that the NBA and MLB consulted with Indiana lawmakers to introduce a sports gambling bill in that state that would levy a 1 percent “integrity fee” that operators would have to pay to leagues.

Atkinson had been whistled for a technical shortly before the incident, and was still visibly livid at referee Tony Brothers, yelling at him from the bench. When he started out on the floor, coaches and guard Spencer Dinwiddie stepped in to pull him back.

In his post-game media conference, Atkinson didn’t address specifics of his ejection, but said, “I did feel like I had to protect Joe [Harris].” The Nets guard had been involved in the play that Atkinson had argued earlier, resulting in his first technical.

Playing at home, the San Jose Sharks haven’t been able to solve the St. Louis Blues over the past few years, but that task may get a little easier Thursday night.

The Sharks hope to snap a four-game skid to the short-handed and struggling Blues at SAP Center.

This is the second of three meetings this season. On Feb. 20, Mikkel Boedker had a goal and an assist and Martin Jones stopped 31 shots to lift the Sharks to a 3-2 win in St Louis.